Use of dried chicory root to protect poultry and livestock against ectoparasites or as insect repellant

ABSTRACT

The invention is situated in the field of animal feed supplements, more particularly in the field of feed supplements for diminishing ectoparasitic infestation of animals. The invention provides the use of such a feed supplement in farming of livestock and poultry. The invention also provides for a process of manufacturing such a feed supplement.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention is situated in the field of animal feed supplements, moreparticularly in the field of feed supplements for diminishingectoparasitic infestation of animals. The invention provides the use ofsuch a feed supplement in farming of livestock and poultry. Theinvention also provides for a process of manufacturing such a feedsupplement.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Farming of livestock and poultry often requires animals to be residingin close proximity to each other, especially in cold environments. Thismakes them prone to spreading of infections with ectoparasites such asmites, stinging insects and the like.

Since meat of livestock and poultry is usually meant for humanconsumption, the regulations regarding the use of pest and diseasecontrolling agents are very strict to avoid contamination of the foodchain with such agents. Yet, farmhouses or barns need to be cleaned ormade free from ectoparasites regularly in order to avoid poor lifeconditions for the animals as well as disease spreading.

Poultry are for example regularly infected by mites, which causesstress, reduction of egg laying performance and higher mortality.

Livestock can be prone to both external and internal parasiteinfestations with mites, lice, flies, fleas, roundworms, tapeworms,flukes etc. Mange (or scabies) for example in livestock is a skincondition caused by microscopic mites in or on the skin. The mites causeintense itching and discomfort which is associated with decreased feedintake and production. Scratching and rubbing results in extensivedamage to hide and fleece and potential wound infections.

Cattle are regularly infested with mites (acariosis) especially duringwinter periods when animals are housed in intensive way and whenhygienic conditions are not optimal (presence of humid hear coat isfavourable to the development of mites.).

The most common species of mites present on cattle are scaroptes,chorioptes and psoroptes ovis. A female mite is laying 1 to 3 eggs aday, and lasts about 50 days. The mites' faeces cause allergic reactionsof the host's coat, which reacts by producing exudations, skinthickening, scales and crusts.

The mites suck the exudates and secretions of the skin. Lesions aremostly starting at the tail head, and around the neck, and spread to therest of the body. The animals suffer from severe itching and react byscratching, biting and rubbing against objects. The injuries causedinfections which lead to weight loss and reduced milk production.Approx. 85% of the blue white Belgian bovines suffer from mites, and thedisease is also a pest for other species in rather humid and coldregions specifically during winter (Canada, USA, rest of Europe), or oncamelids during rainy seasons.

Also, snails (escargots) are suffering from acariasis as the majorinfection source. The preferential habitat of snails are humidconditions. This is also the most convenient environment for acariasis.

There are no vaccines or pour-on treatment that will protect cattle bymaking them immune to the mites.

There is hence a constant need for new approaches in controlling pestsor ectoparasites in livestock and poultry farms without posing risks tothe food chain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Chicory root, is known as a prebiotic and has been used as an animalfeed supplement for reducing internal parasite infestation of worms, andfor regulating food transit. It is the merit of the applicant of havingdiscovered that dried chicory root can surprisingly, advantageously, beused for decreasing ectoparasitic infestation in livestock and poultry.

Disclosed herein is a composition comprising dried chicory root,produced by a 2-step process of drying the raw chicory root andprocessing it in flakes of roughly 5 cm to 15 mm, preferably 3 cm to 15mm, such as between 2 cm and 15 mm, re-drying said flakes and optionallygrinding into small particles of approximately 0.1 to 2 mm, preferablybetween 0.5 to 1.5 mm, preferably of about 1 mm. The final dried chicoryroot product has a dry matter content of 88% w/w or more, preferably of89% w/w or more, more preferably of 90% w/w or more, corresponding to amoisture content of between about 8 and 12% w/w, preferably of between 9and 11% w/w. The composition disclosed herein is a natural composition,which has substantially not been treated chemically. Said dried chicoryroot composition comprises inulin, sesquiterpene lactone and chicoryroot pulp fraction.

Hereto, the present invention is in particular captured by any one orany combination of one or more of the below numbered statements:

1. A composition comprising dried chicory root for use in reducing,treating or preventing ectoparasitic infestation of livestock or poultryor as an insect repellent, wherein between 0.1 and 5% of dried chicoryroot is added to the animal feed, preferably between 0.1 and 1%, such asbetween 0.1 and 0.5%, for poultry and between 0.5 and 5% for livestocksuch as between 0.5 and 3%. Particular examples of ectoparasites areticks (suck blood), lice & mites (don't suck blood). Preferred examplesof insects on which the composition can have a repellent effect arebiting insects (hematophagous, i.e. they suck blood), black flies, horseflies, gnats, fleas, horn flies, midges, mosquitoes, face flies, stableflies, tsetse flies, etc. Alternatively, a sesquiterpene lactone extractor concentrate obtained from chicory roots is provided, for use as afeed supplement for use in reducing, treating or preventingectoparasitic infestation of livestock or poultry or for use as aninsect repellent.

2. The composition, extract or concentrate for use according tostatement 1, which is administered to poultry, more particularly tolaying poultry.

3. The composition, extract or concentrate for use according tostatement 1 or 2, for use in reducing, treating or preventing thepresence of red mites in poultry.

4. The composition, extract or concentrate according to statement 3,which additionally promotes the decrease of broken eggs, the improvementof egg laying cycle, and decreases the mortality of poultry, decreasedfeather pecking, and decreases or avoids infestation with worms.

5. The composition, extract or concentrate for use according tostatement 1, which is administered to livestock.

6. The composition, extract or concentrate for use according tostatement 5, for use in reducing, treating or preventing the presence ofinfestation with mites in livestock.

7. The composition, extract or concentrate for use according tostatement 5, for use as an insect repellent in livestock.

8. The composition according to any one of statements 1 to 7, comprisinginulin, sesquiterpene lactone and pulp fraction.

9. The composition for use according to any one of statements 1 to 8,comprising at least 50 wt.% of inulin, preferably more than 60 wt. % ofinulin.

10. The composition for use according to any one of statements 1 to 9,wherein said inulin has an average degree of polymerization by number ofat least 3.

11. The composition, extract or concentrate for use according to any oneof statements 1 to 10, wherein the species of chicory is Cichoriumintybus L.

12. The composition, extract or concentrate for use according to any oneof statements 1 to 11, wherein said sequiterpen lactones are selectedfrom lactucine, dihydrolactucine, lactucopicrine anddihydrolactucopicrine.

13. The composition for use according to any one of statements 1 to 12,wherein said pulp fraction comprises soluble and insoluble fibers.

14. The composition for use according to any one of statements 1 to 13,wherein said pulp fraction comprises cellulose.

15. The composition for use according to any one of statements 1 to 14,having a dry matter content of 88% w/w or more, preferably of 89% w/w ormore, more preferably of 90% w/w or more. This is corresponding to amoisture content of between about 8 and 12% w/w, preferably of between 9and 11% w/w.

16. The composition for use according to any one of statements 1 to 15,comprising or consisting essentially of particles having an averagediameter of less than 2 mm, preferably approximately 0.1 to 2 mm,preferably between about 0.5 to 1.5 mm, more preferably of about 1 mm;or comprising dried chicory root flakes or shreds, preferably having anaverage size of between 3 cm and 15 mm, preferably between 2 cm and 15mm.

17. The composition for use according to any one of statements 1 to 16,which consists essentially of a natural product. Indeed, the compositiondisclosed herein has been processed physically only, i.e. by washingwith water, drying, grinding, optionally followed by a second dryingstep and fine grinding or milling into small particles of averageparticle size as depicted herein. The raw chicory root material has notbeen subjected to chemical treatment with solvents or extraction meansetc. in order to reach the dried chicory root composition.

18. The composition for use according to any one of statements 1 to 17,further comprising from 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % calcium stearate to furtheravoid water absorption resulting into clumping.

19. Use of a composition comprising dried chicory root, or sesquiterpenelactone extract or concentrate obtained from chicory roots as a feedadditive in the production of a feed product or a feed supplement fortreating, reducing, or preventing ectoparasitic infestation of livestockor poultry, wherein said feed product comprises between 0.1 and 5% byweight of said dried chicory root feed supplement, preferably between0.1 and 1% for poultry, between 1 and 5% for pigs, horses, or domesticanimals and between 0.2 and 5%, between 0.5 and 3%, or between 0.2 and1.5% for livestock. Particular examples of ectoparasites are ticks (suckblood), lice & mites (don't suck blood). Preferred examples of insectson which the composition can have a repellent effect are biting insects(hematophagous, i.e. they suck blood), black flies, horse flies, gnats,fleas, horn flies, midges, mosquitoes, face flies, stable flies, tsetseflies, etc.

Typically, sheep and cattle would receive a dosage of between 0.2 and1.5%, preferably between 0,3 and 1% of the dried chicory rootcomposition mixed into the normal feed.

Pigs, piglets, horses and dogs or similar domestic animals typicallywould receive a dosage of between 0.1 and 10% of the dried chicory rootcomposition mixed into the normal feed. Indicative dosages are: 0.3% to3%, preferably of about 1 to 1.5% in feed for sows and piglets and about0.3 to 1% in feed for fattening pigs during the duration of the stay.Said amount can be increased to between 5 to 10% in the last week offattening of boars to reduce scatole compounds and boar taint. In petfood for e.g. cats and dogs, a dosage of between about 0.3 and 1.2% ofthe dried chicory root composition mixed into the normal feed.

Poultry and birds in general would typically receive a dosage of between0.1 and 1%, preferably between 0.1 and 0.6% of their normal feed.Indicative dosages are: 0.2% in poultry feed especially during the first3 weeks of fattening; 0.1 to 0.5% in feed for laying hens.

20. Use according to statement 19, wherein the chicory root orsesquiterpene extract or concentrate from chicory root is fed to theanimal daily. The period of use can be during the majority of thebreeding or production period in order to have a protective effect. Forexample in ruminants, a period of up to 10 weeks, such as up to 8 weeksor up to 6 weeks could be envisaged in order to avoid re-infestation.For poultry for example, the treatment could be maintained throughoutthe whole lauing period e.g. for laying hens and the like, ue to thebeneficial effects on animal health and laying performance.

21. Use according to statement 19 or 20, wherein the chicory root orsesquiterpene extract or concentrate from chicory root is fed to theanimal daily for a period of up to 6 weeks, for example for about 5 to20 days, more preferably for between 10 and 18 days.

22. A method of producing a composition comprising dried chicory rootcomprising the following steps:

-   a) washing of the raw chicory root material;-   b) cutting the raw material into flakes, preferably having a size of    between about 3 cm to 15 mm, more preferably of between about 2 cm    to about 15 mm; and-   c) drying the fresh chicory root flakes by direct or indirect    heating.

23. The method according to statement 22, additionally comprising thesteps of:

-   d) grinding, crushing or milling the dried flakes obtained in    step c) into a fine powder having an average particle diameter of    less than 2 mm, preferably of between 0.6 and 1.2 mm, more    preferably between 0.8 and 1 mm; and-   e) additional drying the milled dried chicory root obtained in step    d); and-   f) optionally adding a silicate or calcium stearate to avoid water    absorption.

24. The method according to statement 17, wherein when the chicory rootis dried by direct or indirect heating, the temperature of heating isperformed at a temperature of between 50 and 80° C., preferably between60 and 70° C. Said drying step is typically done for at least 30minutes.

25. The method according to any one of statements 22 to 24, wherein whenthe chicory root is dried by direct heating, the temperature of saidheating is at least of 100° C. for at least 1 second.

26. A dried chicory root composition comprising at least 50%, preferablyat least 60% of inulin comprising between 0.3 and 0.5% by weight ofsesquiterpene lactone and comprising a pulp fraction, or a sesquiterpenelactone extract or concentrate obtained from chicory roots.

27. The composition, concentrate or extract according to statement 26,wherein said sesquiterpene lactones are preferably selected from:lactucine, dihydrolactucine, lactucopicrine and dihydrolactucopicrine.

28. The composition according to any one of statements 26 to 27, whereinsaid dried chicory root composition has a dry matter content of at least85% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight.

29. The composition according to any one of statements 26 to 28, whereinthe water activity of the composition is comprised between 0.3 and 0.5.

30. The composition according to any one of statements 26 to 29,obtained by the method of any one of statements 26 to 29.

31. Alternatively, in all the above statements, the chicory rootcomposition could be replaced by chicory leaf or leaves. Such leaves canbe provided as a feed supplement for use reducing, treating orpreventing ectoparasitic infestation of livestock or poultry or as aninsect repellent. Such leaves can be fed actively by adding them to thefeed or can be seeded or planted on the field or pastures of grazinganimals, leading to feeding of grazers of leaves and grass in thepasture.

32 Alternatively, in all the above statements, sesquiterpene lactoneextract or concentrate obtained from chicory roots can be used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before the present method of the invention is described, it is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to particular methods,components, products or combinations described, as such methods,components, products and combinations may, of course, vary. It is alsoto be understood that the terminology used herein is not intended to belimiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited onlyby the appended claims.

As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include bothsingular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictatesotherwise.

The terms “comprising”, “comprises” and “comprised of” as used hereinare synonymous with “including”, “includes” or “containing”, “contains”,and are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional,non-recited members, elements or method steps. It will be appreciatedthat the terms “comprising”, “comprises” and “comprised of” as usedherein comprise the terms “consisting of”, “consists” and “consists of”,as well as the terms “consisting essentially of”, “consists essentially”and “consists essentially of”.

The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers andfractions subsumed within the respective ranges, as well as the recitedendpoints.

The term “about” or “approximately” as used herein when referring to ameasurable value such as a parameter, an amount, a temporal duration,and the like, is meant to encompass variations of +/−20% or less,preferably +/−10% or less, more preferably +/−5% or less, and still morepreferably +/-1% or less of and from the specified value, insofar suchvariations are appropriate to perform in the disclosed invention. It isto be understood that the value to which the modifier “about” or“approximately” refers is itself also specifically, and preferably,disclosed.

Whereas the terms “one or more” or “at least one”, such as one or moreor at least one member(s) of a group of members, is clear per se, bymeans of further exemplification, the term encompasses inter alia areference to any one of said members, or to any two or more of saidmembers, such as, e.g., any ≥3, ≥4, ≥5, ≥6 or ≥7 etc. of said members,and up to all said members.

All references cited in the present specification are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety. In particular, theteachings of all references herein specifically referred to areincorporated by reference.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in disclosing the invention,including technical and scientific terms, have the meaning as commonlyunderstood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventionbelongs. By means of further guidance, term definitions are included tobetter appreciate the teaching of the present invention.

In the following passages, different aspects of the invention aredefined in more detail. Each aspect so defined may be combined with anyother aspect or aspects unless clearly indicated to the contrary. Inparticular, any feature indicated as being preferred or advantageous maybe combined with any other feature or features indicated as beingpreferred or advantageous.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughoutthis specification are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures orcharacteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would beapparent to a person skilled in the art from this disclosure, in one ormore embodiments. Furthermore, while some embodiments described hereininclude some but not other features included in other embodiments,combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be withinthe scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would beunderstood by those in the art. For example, in the appended claims, anyof the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

In the following detailed description of the invention, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in whichare shown by way of illustration only of specific embodiments in whichthe invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may bemade without departing from the scope of the present invention. Thefollowing detailed description, therefore, is not to be taken in alimiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by theappended claims.

The term “ectoparasites” intends to include all infesting parasites thatlive on the outside of the host, either on the skin or the outgrowths ofthe skin of poultry, domestic animals and livestock. Some non-limitingexamples of ectoparasites of cattle are ticks (suck blood), lice & mites(don't suck blood) such as: Amblyomma ticks, Boophilus cattle ticks,Dermacentor ticks, Haemaphysalis ticks, Hyalomma ticks, Ixodes ticks,Rhipicephalus ticks, and cattle mites such as scab and mange mites,cattle mange, Psoroptes, Sarcoptes, Chorioptes, or Demodex causingacariosis or acariasis.

Some non-limiting examples of ectoparasites of poultry are: bloodsuckingpoultry mites of which the most important species are: Dermanyssusgallinae (red fowl mite, red poultry mite, roost mite, chicken mite),Ornithonyssus sylviarum (northern fowl mite), and Ornithonyssus bursa(tropical fowl mite); non-bloodsucking poultry mites of which the mostrelevant species are Cnemidocoptes gallinae (depluming mite or itchmite), Cnemidocoptes mutans (scaly leg mite), Epidermoptes bilobatus(scaly skin mite)

Some non-limiting examples of ectoparasites of horses and equids ingeneral are Chorioptes equi (itchy leg mite), Demodex equi (the horsefollicle mite, leading to demodectic mange), Psoroptes equi (scab miteor equine body mite, leading to prosoptic mange), Sarcoptes scabiei var.equi (common mange mite, leading to sarcoptic mange).

Some non-limiting examples of ectoparasites of sheep and ovines ingeneral are: Chorioptes ovis (chorioptic mange mite), Psorergates ovis(sheep itch mite), Psoroptes ovis (sheep scab mite, Sarcoptes scabieivar. ovis (itch mite, or sarcoptic mange mite).

Some non-limiting examples of ectoparasites of pigs are: Demodexphylloides (pig follicle mite) and Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis (pig itchmite or sarcoptic mange).

Some non-limiting examples of ectoparasites of cattle and bovines ingeneral are: Demodex bovis (cattle follicle mite), Chorioptes bovis(chorioptic mange mite), Psoroptes ovis (cattle scab mite), Sarcoptesscabiei var. bovis (cattle itch mite, or sarcoptic mange mite).

Some non-limiting examples of ectoparasites of pet animals such as catsand dogs are: Demodex canis (canine follicular mange mite, or red mangemite), Demodex cati (feline follicular mange mite), Otodectes cynotis(ear mite), Notoedres cati (feline scabies, or cat mange mite),Cheyletiella spp., (walking dandruff), Pneumonyssoides caninum (nasalmite), Sarcoptes scabiei var. canis (canine scabies).

The term “insect” when used in combination with the use of the driedchicory root composition as insect repellent is intended to encompassall biting insects which feed on blood of livestock such as horses,equids, cattle including ovines, bovines, camelids, ruminants, domesticanimals etc. Some non-limiting examples of such insects are: bitinginsects (hematophagous, i.e. they suck blood), black flies, horse flies,gnats, fleas, horn flies, midges, mosquitoes, stable flies, face flies,tsetse flies, etc.

The term “livestock” as used herein is intended to encompassdomesticated animals raised in an agricultural setting to producecommodities such as food, fiber, and labor. The term includes mammalianruminants such as bovines (cattle, bisons, buffalos, yaks and the like),ovines (goats, sheep, etc.), pigs, peccaries, camelids, alpacas, deer,elands, elks, moose, donkeys, mules, horses, Guinee pigs, rabbits, etc.

The term “pets” includes small domesticated furry animals such as guineepigs, cavia's, dogs, cats, rabbits, and the like.

The term “poultry” as used herein includes all domesticated birds keptby humans for e.g. eggs, meat or feathers and include fowl, morespecifically galliforms such as but not limited to chicken, duck, goose,quail, emu, peafowl, ostrich, pigeon, pheasant, turkey, etc.

The term “treating or preventing” when used in releation to ectoparasiteinfestation intends to encompass any improvement of the condition of theanimal, i.e. any decrease of the infestation with the ectoparasite,preferentially mitigating said infestation and preventing re-occurrenceof the infestation thereby seriously improving the animal health andwell-being. Prevention of infestation as a whole is also included in theterm and encompasses the avoidance of any substantial infestation withthe ectoparasites in animals that had not been previously infestedtherewith.

The term “repellent” as used herein refers to biting insect repellentcharacteristics and is intended to encompass any decrease in bitingincidents in livestock or poultry with biting insects as indicatedherein.

Ideally, no or substantially no insect biting incidents occur in thelivestock or poultry, thereby seriously improving the animal health andwell-being.

The term “chicory root” as used herein refers to the root of chicory, ina preferred example, the species of chicory is Cichorium intybus Lspecies. Chicory root comprises two main components, inulin and pulp.The raw chicory root comprises about 20-25% of dry matter, whichcontains between 16-17% inulin. When dried up to a dry matter content ofaround 90%, this results in an inulin concentration in the dried chicoryroot composition of above 60%, typically of about 65%. Said inulin hasan average degree of polymerization by number of at least 3. Additionalcomponents of the chicory root composition are sesquiterpene lactonessuch as the ones selected from: lactucine, dihydrolactucine,lactucopicrine and dihydrolactucopicrine. Typically, in a concentrationof around 0.4 wt. %. The pulp fraction comprises soluble and insolublefibers and cellulose.

Also the leafs of the chicory plant can be interesting, since they alsocontain about 0.25 wt. % on dry matter of sesquiterpen lactones. Theleafs could be directly fed to grazing cattle such as cows, sheep,goats, horses, camelids etc.

Dried chicory roots comprise inulin, sesquiterpenes lactone and a pulpfraction. As used herein, the term “inulin” refers to a mixture ofoligo- and/or polysaccharides of fructose which may have a terminalglucose. Inulins belong to a class of fibers known as fructans. In anembodiment, inulin can be represented, depending from the terminalcarbohydrate unit, by the general formulae GFn and/or Fm, wherein Grepresents a glucose unit, F represents a fructose unit, n is an integerrepresenting the number of fructose units linked to the terminal glucoseunit, and m is an integer representing the number of fructose unitslinked to each other in the carbohydrate chain, preferably wherein n isat least 2, and m is at least 2. Inulins for use in the presentinvention encompass inulins with a terminal glucose which are alsoreferred asalpha-D-glucopyranosyl-[beta-D-fructofuranosyl](n-1)-D-fructofuranosides,as well as inulins without glucose which are also referred asbeta-D-fructopyranosyl-[D-fructofuranosyl](n-1)-D-fructofuranosides.Inulins for use in the present invention can also encompass branchedinulin. Inulins for use in the present invention can also encompass thehydrolysis products of inulins such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS),also called oligofructoses, which are fructose oligomers with a DP of≤20, and they can also encompass fructo-oligosaccharides ending with aterminal glucose with a DP of 3-5 synthesized from sucrose. Preferablysaid fructo-oligosaccharides have an average DP by number of at least 3and at most 7. Suitable saccharide chains of inulin from plant originfor use in the invention can have a DP ranging from 2 to about 100.Inulin can be a liquid or a powder product.

As used herein, the terms “degree of polymerization” or “(DP)” relatesto the number of monosaccharide residues present in an oligo- orpolysaccharide. Often also the parameter average degree ofpolymerization is used. The degree of polymerization is a measure ofmolecular weight (MW). The DP can be calculated as the ratio of thetotal MW of the polymer or oligomer and the MW of the repeating units.

The average degree of polymerization (av DP) of a (polydispersed) oligo-or polysaccharide mixture is the mean of the degree of polymerization(DP) of all the molecules present in this saccharide mixture. Theaverage degree of polymerization herein, unless otherwise specified, iscalculated based on the number of molecules for each DP: av DPn oraverage degree of polymerization by number as described herein below.

Determination of the molecular mass distribution of the fructan sampleis done by High Performance Anion Exchange Chromatography coupled withPulse Amperometric Detection (HPAEC-PAD) on a Thermo scientific—DionexICS 5000 chromatographic system. Separation of the various chain lengthsis achieved by a Carbopac PA100 4 mm *250 mm (+guard) at 40° C. with aflow rate of 1 ml/min. Sodium hydroxide 160 mM is used as eluent. Agradient of sodium acetate during the run allows to separate the variouschain lengths. Fructan mixture standards at different concentrations areinjected in order to draw the calibration curves and to assign the peaksin the chromatogram based on the retention time of the standard. Thecalibration curves allow determining the concentration of each molecularspecies in the sample.

From the obtained concentration distribution, the average polymerizationdegree in number Dp_(n) is calculated as

$\overset{\_}{Dp_{n}} = \frac{\Sigma_{i}N_{i}Dp_{i}}{\Sigma_{i}N_{i}}$

Where Ni is the number of molecules having i residue and Dpi the numberof residue.

In an embodiment, the fructan as described herein, preferably inulin,has an average DP by number of at least 3. In an embodiment, the fructanas described herein, preferably inulin, has an average DP by number ofat most 500. In an embodiment, said fructan, preferably inulin, has anaverage DP by number of at least 3, for example of at least 5, forexample of at least 7, for example of at least 10, for example at least15, for example at least 20, for example at least 25, for example atleast 70. In an embodiment, the fructan as described herein, preferablyinulin, has an average DP by number of at least 3 and of at most 500,preferably of at least 3 and at most 100, more preferably of at least 3and of at most 30. In a further preferred embodiment, the fructan asdescribed herein, preferably inulin, comprises or consists offructooligosaccharides (FOS). In a further preferred embodiment, thefructan as described herein has an average DP by number of at least 3and at most 20, preferably of at least 3 and at most 15, such as of atleast 3 and at most 10. In yet another preferred embodiment, the fructanas described herein, preferably inulin, comprises or consists ofhydrolyzed or partially hydrolyzed fructan, preferably inulin.Hydrolyzed fructan, such as hydrolyzed inulin, may for instance beobtained enzymatically (e.g. by inulinases) or may alternatively beobtained by acid and/or thermal hydrolysis.

As used herein, the term “sesquiterpene lactones” refers to a class ofchemical compounds, called sesquiterpenoids (built from three isopreneunits) and contain a lactone ring. Sesquiterpene lactone are comprisingat least artemisinin, Lactucin, desoxylactucin, lactucopicrin,lactucin-15-oxalate, lactucopicrin-15-oxa late.

As used herein, the term “pulp fraction” refers to the pulp fractioncomprised in the chicory root. It is mainly composing of soluble andinsoluble fibres with a high-water retention capacity.

For use in the present invention, the chicory root is dried and groundinto flakes of between 1 and 10mm or into a fine powder having a meanparticle diameter of less than 2 mm, preferably of between 0.6 and 1.2mm, preferably of between 0.8 and 1 mm, between 0.1 to 2 mm, betweenabout 0.5 to 1.5mm, more preferably of about 1 mm. The mean particlesize can be measured by any known technique such as sieving with a meshhaving known sizes of openings and typically will be represented by anyone of D10 (=arithmetic or number mean), D32 (=volume/surface mean (alsocalled the Sauter mean)), or D43 (=the mean diameter over volume (alsocalled the DeBroukere mean)).

Alternatively, raw inulin can be used, i.e. the raw juices of inulinobtained after extraction of the chicory pulp. This is prepared asfollows: Inulin in raw form emerges from the diffusion after separationof the pulp. Inulin in raw form is practically composed of +/−75%inulin, +/−10% reducing sugars, protein residues (3%) minerals andsesquiterpene lactones, etc. The concentration of sesquiterpene lactonesmay therefore be somewhat higher than for the dried chicory rootcomposition of the invention, and therefore contains +/−0.6%sesquiterpene lactones. However, this raw inulin has sticky andhygroscopic properties and is therefore not very easy in mixing andstorage.

As a further alternative, a concentrate of sesquiterpene lactones can beused, resulting from separation of the minerals and sesquiterpenelactones from the raw inulin. This is prepared as follows: Afterobtaining the crude inulin, it is also possible to remove the raw juicefrom the inulin and to obtain a substance with a considerably higherconcentration of sesquiterpene lactones. This concentrate could be inthe form of a liquid syrup and would be particularly interesting as aningredient for lick buckets (in the form of blocks of minerals withanti-fly/anti-mosquito and deworming effect.

As yet a further alternative, chicory seeds can be added in pastures,leading to feeding of cattle etc. of leaves and grass in the pasture.

Preparation

Further disclosed is a method of producing a composition comprisingdried chicory root comprising the following steps:

-   a) washing of the raw chicory root material with water;-   b) cutting the raw material into flakes of about 1-15 mm with any    suitable means, such as slicer; and-   c) drying the fresh chicory root flakes by direct or indirect    heating by any suitable means, such as by means of heated air. It is    preferred to keep the temperature of the drying process below 80°    C., in order to avoid break-down of the product. For example, the    heating can be performed at a temperature of between 50 and 80° C.,    preferably between 60 and 70° C. Said drying step is typically done    for at least 30 minutes, such as about 1 or 1.5 hours.

Said flakes can additionally be processed into a powder by:

-   d) grinding, crushing or milling the dried flakes obtained in    step c) into a fine powder having an average particle diameter of    less than 2 mm, preferably of between 0.6 and 1.2 mm, more    preferably between 0.8 and 1 mm, between 0.1 to 2mm, between about    0.5 to 1.5 mm, more preferably of about 1 mm; and-   e) additional drying the milled dried chicory root obtained in step    d); and-   f) optionally adding a silicate or calcium stearate to avoid water    absorption.

Said milling, grinding or crushing can be performed by any suitablemeans in the art such as rotor mill, ball mill, cutter mill, hammer millor other mills and grinders or crushers known in the art.

Alternatively, the chicory root material can be dried by direct heating,wherein the temperature is at least of 100° C., such as for example 120°C. for at least 1 second, such as for example for about 0.5 or 1 minute,or more, such as for example for up to 15 minutes.

Effects

The composition comprising dried chicory root can be used for reducing,treating or preventing the presence of ectoparasites such as mites,particularly red mites in poultry, mange mites in livestock.

The effect on red mite infestation reduction in laying hens can bereasonably extrapolated to birds in general, e.g. pinguins, canaris,parrots etc.

The effects achieved by the dried chicory root composition as disclosedherein can be extrapolated to other animals than the ones tested in thedisclosure, for example in but not limited to sheep, goats, pigs andgame in general.

The composition comprising dried chicory root can be used forcontrolling scabies or mange in livestock such as in horses, ovines andbovines (specifically Belgian-Blue-White).

Although the most surprising effect found by adding the dried chicoryroot into animal feed was the anti-ectoparasitic and insect repellenteffect, many other advantages can be obtained in terms of improvement ofanimal health and well-being.

The composition comprising dried chicory root can be used for decreasingthe number of broken eggs and/or increasing the egg production cycle ofpoultry.

The composition comprising dried chicory root can be used for increasingthe length of egg-laying in poultry, even more particular laying hens.

The composition comprising dried chicory root can be used for decreasingthe mortality of poultry, more particularly laying poultry, even moreparticular laying hens.

The composition comprising dried chicory root can be used for decreasingthe feather pecking of poultry.

The composition comprising dried chicory root can be used for dewormingpoultry or livestock or for decreasing the infestation of poultry andlivestock with endoparasites such as worms such as roundworms tapewormsor flatworms.

The composition comprising dried chicory root can be used for treatingor preventing malaria.

The present disclosure is further explained in the examples below, whichare not to be seen as limiting the scope of protection of the invention.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Effect of Adding Dried Chicory Root in Feed forPoultry

A comparative test was done on a farm with 50.000 laying hens. 0.4% ofdried chicory root was added in the laying hens' existent feed. Thefeeding with this formula has started one month before the end of theegg production of the laying hens, a period where typically problems ofreduced eggshell quality, increased feather picking etc.

Shell Quality

During the experiment, the number and the weight of eggs are registereddaily, feed consumption is recorded monthly, and egg production, eggmass, daily feed intake and feed conversion (feed consumed per 1 g ofproduced egg mass) are calculated as follows: Hen-day eggproduction=(Average daily egg production÷Average daily number of birdsalive)×100.

At 34, 46, 58 and 70 weeks, one egg from each hen is collected todetermine eggshell quality indices, i.e. eggshell thickness and eggshelldensity. Shell thickness is measured near the equator of the egg.Eggshell density (dried shell weight per unit of shell area, mc/cm²) iscalculated by Eggware software. Egg shell breaking strength, using anInstron Testing machine, is measured. The eggs are compressed at aconstant crosshead speed of 10 mm/min, and breaking strength isdetermined at the moment of the eggshell fracture.

Mortality Rate

Mortality rate is usually expressed in percentages using the followingequation: Mortality rate=(no. of dead birds÷total no. of birds)×100

Measurement of Feather Pecking

Gentle feather pecking (GFP) Hen uses beak to gently peck at feathers ofconspecific. This pecking is normally ignored by the recipient andusually does not result in the removal of a feather. Usually occurs inbouts where the hens will GFP several times in a single bout. Normallydirected at the back or tail, but may be directed at the head. Counttotal number of pecks

Severe feather pecking (SFP) Hen uses beak to forcefully peck at victim.Victim will usually respond to pecking by moving away or retaliating.May result in removal of a feather. Usually occurs as a single event,but may happen twice in a row. Will not occur in bouts. Usually directedtoward the back, rump, or tail, but may be directed at the head. Counttotal number of pecks

Aggressive pecking (AP) Occurs when one hen raises her head andforcefully stabs beak either once or multiple times at another hen.Aggressive pecks will usually be directed at the head, but may also bedirected at the body. The recipient will usually show avoidancebehaviour by ducking or moving away from aggressive bird. May beassociated with a chase, standoff, or leap. Count total number of pecks

Enrichment pecking (EP) Hen uses beak to peck at top or sides of haybale or plastic box (HAY and BOX rooms only). Count total number ofpecks

Red Mites Measurement

Since the majority of the population of mites is in the environmentrather than on the hens, monitoring the number of mites in the henhouse, on feeder tracks, in nest boxes, cracks, crevices etc. is a goodmeasure of the amount of mites present. The number of mites per m² ismeasured in the hen house before the presence of laying hens and beforethe cleaning of the hen house after the hens have left. Although the .Typically, laying hens will be kept in the hen house for about 18months.

Deworming Activity Measurement

One way of establishing worm presence or number is to actually count theworms in the dropping of the hens. Other signs of worm infestation are:mucky bottoms; dishevelled, depressed appearance; weight loss; drop inegg production; pale comb etc.

Results:

The eggs produced before the administration of chicory root in theformula were considered of poor quality and the proportion of brokeneggs was increasing.

After 3 to 4 days of inclusion of 0.4% of chicory root to the formula,eggshell quality was improving significantly and egg shells were shinierand more colourful. Less egg losses occurred though breaking. Also, themortality rate of the laying hens which is normally quite high at thistime in the production cycle, was significantly reduced.

After 14 days, the inclusion of chicory root in the formula has beenstopped, and egg shell quality decreased again within the firstfollowing days, clearly linking the effect to the dried chicory root.

During the period of the 0.4% chicory root inclusion feather pecking wasalso significantly reduced and feathers were growing again.

Completely unexpected, when cleaning the hen house after the hens wereremoved, the farmer remarked that he was not bitten once by mites. Uponinvestigating in more detail, the bodies of hens were not infected byred mites. The presence of red mites in the hen house was practicallynihil, which had never been the case before the use of the dried chicoryroot.

At the arrival of pullets in the rearing house, diarrhoea is occurringregularly because of stress, change of feed, and risk of fat liversyndrome (typical of pullets just before laying eggs with ratherexcessive feeding). Adding the dried chicory root composition at 0.4% inthe feed formula seemed sufficient to improve quality of faeces, evenafter only 2 to 3 days of feeding.

Next, a sensory evaluation of eggs from hens fed with and without driedchicory root composition was performed in order to ensure no tasteissues occurred in the resulting eggs.

60 eggs of each group (Diet with and without 0.4% dried chicory rootcomposition) have been collected after four weeks of trial. The eggswere evaluated by triangle test. Each panellist received three half hardboiled eggs: two from one diet and one from the other diet. Thepanellist was asked to identify the unique sample. Six possible ordercombinations had been used. The panellist was instructed to taste firstthe white, then the yolk. Panellists were asked which criteria permittedto find a difference. 50 eggs of each set have been boiled for 12minutes and peeled off. To avoid panellists to be influence by colourdifferences, the light was filtered with red filter in the laboratory.

Results:

32 panellists participated to the triangle test. Among them, 14panellists (<50%) identified correctly the unique sample. Panellistscomments are listed in Table 1 below. For a significant difference, atleast 16 panellists should have the correct answer (at risk α=0.05%).

Conclusion: There is no significant difference between samples B1 andB2. Incorporation of dried chicory root composition at 4 kg/ton in hens'diet does not detectably impact sensory quality of eggs. Indeed, whenlooking at the comments of the pannelists in Table 1 below, there is nota single criterion that is unique for the 2 groups of eggs.

TABLE 1 Panellists comments Sample B1 Sample B2 White taste stronger Notaste difference, white less hard, Yolk harder and different yolkslightly different More taste (Better) Taste stronger and yolk moresmooth Yolk more yellow and smooth, No difference for white, more tastesame taste for yolk (saltier) Yolk smaller and less dry (no More tastefor the yolk difference for white) More smooth and bitter taste Whiteless hard White smoother, no taste difference

Example 2 Effect of Adding Dried Chicory Root to Horse Feed

Tests based on an amount of 75 g/day of dried chicory root composition(roughly about 0.5 to 1.5% on the feed) during 10 days were found to besufficient for having a repulsive effect on horse-flies. Horses thatshowed an important number of stings of horse flies before the treatmentwere no longer stung after the treatment, showing a clear repulsiveeffect.

In addition, and unexpectedly, the skin of the horses treated with thedried chicory root recovered rapidly from dermatitis caused by stingingor infestation with mites. Without wanting to be bound to any theory,the bitter substance in the dried chicory root likely changes thecomposition of the sweat and/or blood of the animal, and consequentlygives a repelling effect to the insects that feed on the blood of thehorse. Sesquiterpene lactones also have anti-inflammatory andantimicrobial properties, which may in part explain the speed with whichhealing of wounds and dermatitis is observed.

Example 3 Effect of Adding Dried Chicory Root to Cattle Feed

To test the effect on cattle, 150 g of dried chicory root compositionwas administered to 8 Belgian white-blue cows that were infested withpsoroptes and chorioptic mites. After 6 days of application, the firstsigns of control over the infested wounds were identified and no furthergrowth of the mites occurred.

When the dosage was reduced to 80 g/day during 1 week, the effect waslost. Re-applying a dosage of between 150 and 200 g/day restored thecontrol after 5 to 6 days. Said amount corresponds to roughly 1 to 2% ofdried chicory root on the total feed.

Example 4 Trail with Dried Chicory Root Composition in Feed Of 10‘Belgian Blue White’ Heifers Infected With Scabies:

All heifers received a daily dosage of 150 g dried chicory rootcomposition per animal during 6 weeks. The heifers were identified witha badge number fixed on the ear. The heifers were kept free on straw in2 boxes pro 5.

Aim of the Trial:

The main aim was to evaluate the effect of dried chicory root on thereduction of skin lesions due to the presence of scabies. This was doneby dosing 150 g/heifer/day of dried chicory root composition in the feedfor 6 weeks. Said amount corresponds to roughly 1 to 2% of dried chicoryroot on the total feed.

The observation was done at the start, during the 6 weeks ofadministration and after a period of 35 days post administration. Thepost administration period is used to observe the resistance to orrecurrence of scabies after the 6 weeks of administration period.

In addition, the health status was checked by considering feedingestion, growth and effects on the newborn calves.

Visual Observations Regarding Scabies Reduction:

During and after the treatment, the skin of the heifers was clearing andbecame more shining. No “wet” places were detected (during and after theperiod of administration).

In addition, the injuries (lesions) on the skin were quite nicelyreduced or healed, with only some small spots of darker hear beingvisible on 1 or 2 heifers after treatment.

No Tactic (Amitraz) or other known anti-scabies treatment compositionswere used during and after the period of administration of the driedchicory root composition,

The young cows (after calving) behaved normal on grass during thesummer, and no scabies reappeared. After 35 days post administration.

Other Health Benefits Observed:

In addition to the effect on scabies, feed ingestion of forage and dryfeed seemed improved. The heifers behaved well and the calving period(May/June) occurred correctly. The newborn calves were also more healthyin general. The breeder mentioned that in general 40% of newborn calvesof his cows need to be fed by a drink probe (tube), while the calves ofthe 10 heifers receiving the dried choicory root composition that wercalving during the same period, accepted the milk from the heiferseasily from the 1st day (no need to probe feed them).

Conclusion: This limited trial shows the beneficial effects of addingdried chicory root composition to the feed of young cows (heifers) onthe reduction of scabies lesions and the prevention of re-infection posttreatment.

Example 5 Comparative Test of Dried Chicory Root Composition and Amitrazon Infestation with Mites and Lice and on Development of Scabies

In this trial, the efficacy of dried chicory root composition as anutritional strategy to treat scabies (in this study dom-inantly causedby the mite Chorioptes bovis) and lice infections was compared against acontrol treatment with local application of Amitraz (Tactic®; commonlyused for scabies treatment on Belgian farms).

The whole trial lasted for 15 weeks and was subdivided in 2 periods: apre-treatment period of 9 weeks, a treatment period of 3 weeks, and a 3week post-treatment period.

The trial started with pre-treatment period of 9 weeks during which theanimals were housed in a straw-bedded free stall and received nopreventive treatment against scabies and lice. At the end of thepre-treatment period, the degree of scabies lesions (clinical index) andcounts of mites and lice in skin-scraping samples were evaluated.

Animals

Twenty Belgian Blue cattle (6 heifers and 14 cows) were used in thistrial. Cattle with mild or severe visual signs of scabies infection wereselected, tied, shaved, scored for scabies lesions (clinical index) andskin scraping samples were taken for counts of mites and lice. Next, theanimals were divided into 2 groups, a control group and a treatmentgroup, based on the results of the clinical index and mite—lice countsat the end of the pre-treatment phase. At the start of the treatmentperiod, animals were housed in a tie-stable, shaved and tied to preventphysical contact with other animals.

Control group: The animals in the positive control group were treatedaccording to the standard ILVO (Flecmish Institute for Agriculture andFishery) scabies prevention protocol which consisted of treatment withAmitraz (Tactic) and removal of the crusts, followed by a secondtreatment with interval of 10 days between both treatments. After thesecond treatment crusts were not removed.

Treatment group: The animals in the treatment group were not treatedwith Amitraz (Tactic), but were fed the indicative daily dose of 200 gof dried chicory root composition per animal per day. Said amountcorresponds to roughly 1 to 2% of dried chicory root on the total feed.Dried chicory root composition was provided mixed through the daily doseof soybean meal and concentrate. The nutritional treatment with driedchicory root composition lasted for 3 consecutive weeks during which theanimals receive their daily dose of dried chicory root composition. Inorder to avoid bias due to crust removal, crusts were also removed atstart of the treatment phase.

Diet

Throughout the whole trial, the animals were fed a constant diet. Theroughage mixture was fed ad libitum and consisted of 40% maize silage,40% pre-wilted grass silage and 20% straw on a dry matter (DM) basis. Inaddition, each animal received a fixed daily amount of 250 g soybeanmeal and 250 g of a vitamin-mineral concentrate.

Soybean meal and concentrates were fed in the morning before provisionof the roughages. The treatment group was fed its daily dose of driedchicory root composition mixed with the soybean meal and concen-trate.The animal caretaker checked if the animals had completely finished thedried chicory root composition before providing the roughage mix.

Clinical Index

In the last week of the pre-treatment period (week 0) and everyfollowing week till the end of the post-treatment period, the clinicalindex was determined as a measure for scabies lesions. Per animal, thenumber, size and type of scabies lesions was determined using a scoringform.

A distinction was made between dried, healing lesions (type 3) and wet,active lesions (type 4).The clinical index was calculated based on thetotal number of lesions using the formula: Area with lesions =totalsquares/350*100.

In addition, an alternative clinical index was calculated based on thenumber of active lesions: Area with lesions type 4=squares type4/350*100.

Lice and Mite Count

In the last week of the pre-treatment period (week 0), at the end of thetreatment period (week 4) and at the end of the post-treatment period(week 8) skin scraping samples were taken for counts of mites and lice.

An area of 2 cm² was shaved using a razor blade at the neck, the backand the tail of the animal (WBT sample) and at the back of the knee(hock sample). Per animal a WBT and a Hock sample was taken and storedin a plastic vial for transportation to the laboratory of Parasitology(Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium).

Using microscopy, the numbers of mites and lice in each sample werecounted and the types of mites and lice were identified by an expert atthe Laboratory of Parasitology, Ghent University, Belgium.

Statistical Analysis

Statistical analysis was done using the Linear mixed model in R takinggroup and week as fixed effects and cow as a random effect. Effects areconsidered as significant when P≤0.05, and trends are identified at thelevel 0.05<P≤0.10.

In case no statistical difference between treatments was found, anequivalence test was performed calculating the 95% confidence interval.If the confidence interval of the dried chicory root group is containedin within the interval with endpoint defined as 1.5× the results of theTactic group, than both treatments are seen as equivalent.

Results: Feed Intake/Growth

Individual feed intake was not registered during the trial, but animalcare takers daily checked the intake of the dried chicory root feed ofthe treatment group during the treatment phase. In addition, the animalcaretakers paid attention to signs of sickness or discomfort of theanimals (abnormal feed leftovers, extreme scratching behavior, fever).During the trial, no signs of sickness were registered.

As weight loss can be a sign of discomfort due to scabies, the animalswere weighed at the end of the pre-treatment phase (week 0) and afterthe post-treatment phase (week 7). Based on these weights, the averagedaily growth was calculated over the 7 week period(treatment+post-treatment). The daily growth was numerically higher butnot significantly different (P=0.182) for the dried chicory root group(Table 2).

TABLE 2 Results of the live weight measurements and daily growth duringthe treatment and post-treatment period. 305 1 809 820 0.183 351 1 831828 −0.050 367 1 854 903 0.817 451 1 777 830 0.883 454 1 697 740 0.717488 1 672 690 0.300 495 1 735 750 0.250 579 1 587 612 0.417 587 1 607663 0.933 703 1 462 481 0.317 323 2 790 814 0.400 405 2 749 812 1.050413 2 784 810 0.433 457 2 747 790 0.717 475 2 707 752 0.750 479 2 608643 0.583 550 2 594 628 0.567 551 2 792 823 0.517 557 2 730 767 0.617591 2 529 580 0.850 Group 1 703 ± 124 731 ± 125 0.477 ± 0.337 Group 2703 ± 93  741 ± 90  0.648 ± 0.198 Group 1: Control - Tactic; Group 2:Treatment - Dried chicory root.

Clinical Index

The clinical index was for the first time determined at the end of thepre-treatment period, followed by weekly measurements during thetreatment and post-treatment period.

A distinction was made between healing lesions (type 3) and activelesions (type 4) and a clinical index was calculated based on the totalnumber of lesions, based on type 3 lesions (data not shown) and based ontype 4 lesions.

The clinical index calculated based on the total lesions increased forboth groups between week 0 and week 1. This increase is due to the crustremoval at start of the treatment phase. Crust removal had an impact onthe size of the lesions and hence on the clinical index. During thefollowing weeks, the clinical index based on the total number of lesionsremained stable and fluctuated between 6 and 7. No statisticaldifferences were found for treatment (P=0.229) or week effect (P=0.270).

The clinical index was numerically lower for the dried chicory rootgroup. Based on an equivalence test, the clinical index for the Tacticgroup was with 95% confidence maximum 15% higher than the clinical indexfor the dried chicory root group. This maximal differences were smallerthan the defined interval of 1.5× difference, so one can tell that bothtreatments were equivalent for the parameters total lesions and totalclinical index (Table 3).

TABLE 3 Clinical index per animal and per week, based on the number ofhealing lesions (3) and based on the number of active lesions (4). CowGroup 3 4 3 4 3 4 3 4 3 4 305 1 21.7 0.0 12.6 2.6 8.0 0.0 8.9 0.0 8.30.0 351 1 2.6 0.6 4.9 0.6 5.1 0.0 6.6 0.0 6.0 0.0 367 1 4.3 0.3 6.3 0.07.7 0.0 6.6 0.0 6.3 0.0 451 1 8.0 0.0 8.3 0.6 7.1 0.0 6.6 0.0 8.0 0.0454 1 2.9 0.0 5.1 0.0 7.1 0.0 8.0 0.0 6.3 0.0 488 1 2.6 0.0 4.9 0.0 6.00.0 5.4 0.0 6.9 0.0 495 1 2.3 0.6 5.7 0.0 6.0 0.0 6.3 0.0 6.9 0.0 579 10.9 0.9 5.4 0.3 5.7 0.0 5.1 0.0 6.3 0.0 587 1 1.0 0.6 4.0 0.0 4.9 0.05.4 0.0 5.7 0.0 703 1 1.1 0.6 5.4 0.0 6.0 0.0 4.9 0.0 6.6 0.0 323 2 3.70.0 5.7 0.0 5.1 0.0 6.0 0.0 5.4 0.0 405 2 4.6 0.3 10.0 0.0 6.6 0.0 6.90.0 7.1 0.0 413 2 2.0 1.4 5.1 0.9 7.4 0.0 7.4 0.3 5.7 0.0 457 2 6.0 0.08.9 0.0 6.6 0.0 8.6 0.0 7.4 0.0 475 2 6.3 0.0 7.1 0.0 4.9 0.0 4.9 0.04.3 0.0 479 2 3.7 0.0 5.7 0.3 8.3 0.6 6.9 0.0 6.9 0.6 550 2 4.3 0.0 3.40.3 4.9 0.0 4.0 0.3 3.4 0.3 551 2 2.3 0.6 5.7 0.0 6.9 0.0 6.0 0.0 5.10.9 557 2 0.6 0.6 5.1 0.0 5.7 0.0 5.1 0.0 7.1 0.0 591 2 2.0 0.9 4.6 0.96.6 0.3 4.6 0.9 4.3 0.3 Lsmeans 1 4.7 0.3 6.3 0.4 6.4 0.0 6.4 0.0 6.70.0 Lsmeans 2 3.5 0.4 6.1 0.2 6.3 0.1 6.0 0.1 5.7 0.2 Group 1: Control -Tactic; Group 2: Treatment - Dried chicory root

At start of the trial (pre-treatment week 0) 11/20 animals werediagnosed with mites, and in all but one sample the mites wereidentified as Chorioptes bovis. Only one hock sample was positive forPsoroptes ovis, which was a surprising finding as in general scabies inBelgian Blue cattle is caused by Psoroptes ovis mites. The highestcounts of mites were found in the WBT area, but the numbers were veryvariable and ranged between 1 and 428. Seven animals were positive formites in the hock sample and all but one were also positive for mites inthe WBT sample.

At the end of the pre-treatment period (week 0), after the treatmentperiod (week 4) skin scraping samples were taken for counts andidentification of mites and lice at the neck, back and tail area (WBTarea) and at the hock.

At the start of the trial, the lice identified in the skin scrapingsamples were of the type Haematopinus sp., with the exception of one WTBsample that contained a minority of Damalinia sp. (2/157). One samplewas negative for lice (cow 703 belonging to the Tactic group). In week4, the counts of lice decreased significantly compared to week 0(P=0.490) and this in both treatment groups. At the end of the treatmentphase (week 4), most of the mites were gone. Six (6/20) WBT samples werepositive for Chorioptes bovis (3 in the dried chicory root group and 3in Tactic group) but with very low counts (≤6), and 2 hock samplesremained positive for Chorioptes bovis (one in the dried chicory rootand one in Tactic group) (Table 4).

TABLE 4 Total number of mites and lice per animal and the LSmeans pergroup. Total Total Total Total Cow Group mite lice mite lice 305 1 0 2170 0 351 1 0 43 0 3 367 1 0 1109 1 1 451 1 4 206 0 0 454 1 56 111 6 9 4881 0 356 0 1 495 1 4 30 0 0 579 1 0 38 19 0 587 1 141 157 0 0 703 1 49 00 0 323 2 0 116 0 75 405 2 19 44 0 0 413 2 1 22 0 7 457 2 6 237 1 77 4752 0 1432 0 411 479 2 0 146 0 24 550 2 8 69 0 72 551 2 496 277 0 33 557 2140 200 16 1 591 2 0 96 5 40 LSmeans 1 25 ± 46 227 ± 329 3 ± 6 1 ± 3 LSmeans 2  67 ± 157 264 ± 419 2 ± 5 74 ± 122 Group 1: Control - Tactic;Group 2: Treatment - Dried chicory root

As no statistical differences were found between treatment for counts ofmites (Table 4), an equivalence test was performed. In week 0, therewere on average 45 mites more counted in the dried chicory root groupand one can tell with 95% confidence that the difference between driedchicory root and Tactic will be lower than 4.5× the count of mites inthe Tactic group. On week 4, there was no difference in mites betweenboth groups.

Conclusions

Although this was a limited trial (both in number of animals and intime), it seems that the dried chicory root composition has a beneficialeffect on the reduction of mite ans lice infestation and on the generalclinical index related to scabies lesions, which is similar to that ofTactic. The preliminary results show no statistically relevantdifference between the use of dried chicory root and Tactic. We notethat Tactic tends to induce resistance in mites or lice, implying theneed for continued administration. This effect is currently underinvestigation for the dried chicory root composition.

Example 6 Trial with Dried Chicory Root Composition on 80 High YieldingDairy Cows as Fly Repellent: Introduction:

Horn flies, stable flies and face flies can cause a lot of stress tocows, impact the productivity and cause infections on bite wounds andspread summer mastitis and analplasmosis.

The dried chicory root composition disclosed herein has been evaluatedon 80 high yielding Holstein dairy cows as a repulsive towards flies.

The 80 high productive milk cows received a 200 g dried chicory rootcomposition per day dosage during 2 weeks. The dried chicory rootcomposition was mixed to the raw forage feed in the mixer.

The animals were severly annoyed by stable and face flies, and also somehorn flies just before start of the trial. Weather conditions were about30° C. in the afternoons of the first week.

Results:

A significant drop of flies was observed from the second day, and cowswere not annoyed anymore by flies during at least 3 weeks from the startof the trial.

Clear signs of cleaning of the skin were observed, indicating a betterhealth status.

Considerations:

The cows were relieved from the irritations of flies during the periodof administration of dried chicory root composition and during a shortperiod after.

Conclusion:

We can conclude that dried chicory root acts as a good repulsive toectoparasites such as horse flies, stable flies and face flies.

1. A composition comprising dried chicory root, preferably fromCichorium intybus L., for use in reducing, treating or preventingectoparasitic infestation of livestock, pets or poultry or as insectrepellent in livestock, pets or poultry, wherein between 0.1 and 5% byweight of dried chicory root is added to the animal feed, preferablybetween 0.1 and 1% for poultry, between 1 and 5% for pigs, horses, orpets, and between 0.5 and 3% for livestock.
 2. The composition for useaccording to claim 1, which is administered to poultry, moreparticularly to laying poultry.
 3. The composition for use according toclaim 1, for use in reducing, treating or preventing the presence of redmites in poultry.
 4. The composition for use according to claim 1, whichis administered to livestock.
 5. The composition for use according toclaim 4, for use in reducing, treating or preventing the presence ofinfestation with mites in livestock.
 6. The composition for useaccording to claim 4, for use as an insect repellent in livestock. 7.The composition for use according to claim 1, comprising: at least 50wt. % of inulin, preferably more than 60 wt. % of inulin, preferablyhaving an average degree of polymerization by number of at least 3;sesquiterpene lactones, preferably selected from lactucine,dihydrolactucine, lactucopicrine and dihydrolactucopicrine; and pulpfraction comprising soluble and insoluble fibers.
 8. The composition foruse according to claim 1, having a dry matter content of 88% w/w ormore, preferably of 89% w/w or more, more preferably of 90% w/w or more.This is corresponding to a moisture content of between about 8 and 12%w/w, preferably of between 9 and 11% w/w.
 9. The composition for useaccording to claim 1, comprising dried chicory root particles having anaverage diameter of less than 2 mm, preferably of approximately 0.1 to 2mm, preferably between about 0.5 to 1.5 mm, preferably of about 1 mm; orcomprising dried chicory root flakes or shreds having an average size ofbetween 1 cm and 15 mm.
 10. The composition for use according to claim1, which consists essentially of a natural product, optionally furthercomprising from 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % calcium stearate.
 11. Use of acomposition comprising dried chicory root as a feed additive in theproduction of a feed product or a feed supplement for treating,reducing, or preventing ectoparasitic infestation of livestock, pets orpoultry, wherein said feed product comprises between 0.1 and 5% byweight of said dried chicory root feed supplement, preferably between0.1 and 1% for poultry, between 1 and 5% for pigs, horses, or domesticanimals and between 0.5 and 3% for livestock.
 12. Use according to claim11, wherein the chicory root is fed to the animal daily.
 13. A method ofproducing a composition comprising dried chicory root comprising thefollowing steps: a) washing of the raw chicory root material; b) cuttingthe raw material into flakes, preferably having a size of between about3 cm to 15 mm, more preferably of between 2 cm and 15 mm; and c) dryingthe fresh chicory root flakes by direct or indirect heating.
 14. Themethod according to claim 13, additionally comprising the steps of: d)grinding, crushing or milling the dried flakes obtained in step c) intoa fine powder having an average particle diameter of less than 2 mm,such as between 0.1 and 2 mm, preferably between 0.5 and 1.2 mm, morepreferably of about 1 mm; and e) additional drying the milled driedchicory root obtained in step d); and f) optionally adding a silicate orcalcium stearate to avoid water absorption.
 15. The method according toclaim 13, wherein when the chicory root is dried by direct or indirectheating, the temperature of heating is performed at a temperature ofbetween 50 and 80° C., preferably between 60 and 70° C. said drying stepis typically done for at least 30 minutes.
 16. A dried chicory rootcomposition comprising at least 50%, preferably at least 60% of inulincomprising between 0.3 and 0.5% by weight of sesquiterpene lactone andcomprising a pulp fraction.
 17. The composition according to claim 16,wherein said dried chicory root composition has a dry matter content ofat least 85% by weight, preferably at least 90% by weight.
 18. Thecomposition according to claim 16, wherein the water activity of thecomposition is comprised between 0.3 and 0.5.
 19. The compositionaccording to claim 16, which is obtained by a method comprising thefollowing steps: a) washing of the raw chicory root material; b) cuttingthe raw material into flakes, preferably having a size of between about3 cm to15 mm, more preferably of between 2 cm and 15 mm; and c) dryingthe fresh chicory root flakes by direct or indirect heating.
 20. Chicoryleaves for use as a feed supplement for use in reducing, treating orpreventing ectoparasitic infestation of livestock or poultry or for useas an insect repellent.
 21. A sesquiterpene lactone extract orconcentrate obtained from chicory roots, for use as a feed supplementfor use in reducing, treating or preventing ectoparasitic infestation oflivestock or poultry or for use as an insect repellent.